So, here to conclude the whole emotional tale, is the epilogue. And as a shameless plugin, I just wanted to let you all know, I'm working on a new dreamer AU fic, (AU with aliens), and it will probably be up by the end of this week, if not beginning of next. And it is a far STRETCH from this one. I needed something happier. lol
So, I'd love to see some of you there. It's called Amaranthine (Eternally Yours). So, until then, thank you! And now, the end of Paper Flowers:
Epilogue:
Liz found herself running through a large field, as the sky darkened. She watched the bridge materialize before her.
“Jump Liz!”
“NO! Not without you!” She tried to turn, to run toward Max, but instead, she found herself on the edge, looking down into the cool waters below.
“You’re mine.” She heard the terrifying voice behind her, and she turned to see Pierce’s bright blue eyes.
“NO!” She screamed as she jumped, letting the air lead her toward the dark depths. She fell onto the ground, as she rolled into the field of paper flowers.
“Max?”
“It’s over now Liz.” He said with a slow smile, walking toward her. She stood frozen, in the world she hadn’t seen for so long.
“Then, why am I here? Why does it still hurt?”
“Because, things like these are never forgotten. Because, you are still grieving.”
“What happened to Zan, Max?” She asked, feeling her eyes water.
“You know what happened.”
“In a way, it was really his sacrifice, wasn’t it? Because, you’re still here.”
“Are you happy Liz?” She walked up to him, letting her hand linger on his youthful face.
“Yes. Your family and my family have been so supportive. Isabel and Michael are like family to me, the way they take such good care. Maria and Alex are alive and healthy… and Ava, she has found someone in Kyle, as unexpected as it may seem.”
“Good, because that was the point. You gave up a part of your life to save us. I hope that now you’ve been living yours to the fullest.”
“I’m in college. Taking up molecular biology.”
“You love that.”
“Yes, I do.” She felt the first tear fall, and she reached out, trying to touch him.
“I miss you. I miss us. Life isn’t the same.”
“Did you expect it to be?”
“I don’t know. I just… I can’t remember what my life was like before all the madness. I want to remember. Because it haunts me.”
“Let me help you remember.” He leaned down and kissed her softly, as images of her sophomore year filled her mind. The feelings of excitement and new love filled her heart and she felt her eyes water. It had been the best year of her life. Who knew it would have fallen apart so quickly?
“There were good times Liz. Very good times.”
“I know.”
“Now, you have to let that all go. Start over.”
“I’m scared.” She cried, as he held her in his arms, comforting her.
“I know you are. But, you’re not living. Not really. I know you’re happy Liz, but you can be so much happier if you let these memories fade. Leave them in the back of your mind, dormant, and move forward. You’re married. Your friends are married and happy and working. Liz, your parents are alive and well. Look toward the future with promise.”
“But then, you’d have to leave.”
“Liz… I’m already gone.”
“No. Don’t leave me! Please.” And then, he was gone.
“NO!”
“Liz… Liz, wake up.” She felt herself stir, as the world began to fade around her. She opened her eyes, startled by the golden eyes staring down at her.
“Max?”
“Are you ok? Liz, you were dreaming sweetie, you were dreaming.” He held her in his arms and she saw the vague image of the mental world she’d lived in for so long flash in her mind. The flowers were being blown in the wind, as they opened to reveal memories of her childhood. Innocence. It was the thing she’d lost which she could never recover.
“I’m ok. I’m ok.” She said, as she let herself lie in the safety of his arms.
“Close your eyes, try and go back to sleep. I’m here Liz. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know.” She whispered, sighing loudly. She had to get herself together.
“I love you.” She heard him whisper into her hair, and she smiled, knowing it was true.
“I love you too.”
<center>***</center>
“Where are we going?” Liz asked, as she sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window.
“To my mother’s house.”
“What? Why? Max… I told you I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this.”
“Out of what? She doesn’t even know.”
“So then, why is she inviting me over?”
“She wants to see you.” Max smiled and looked ahead, keeping his eyes on the road. But, she didn’t miss the smirk on his face.
“What aren’t you telling me?” She watched as he pulled over to the side of the road and stopped.
“I have something for you.” He reached over to the back seat of the car and pulled out a wrapped gift.
“What’s this?”
“Your gift.”
“Max….”
“Just open it.” She smiled slightly, feeling the weight in her hands. What could it be?
She ripped apart the wrapping paper and froze, looking down at the book in her hands. Countless memories plagued her as she suddenly realized what she was holding.
“My journal.”
“Your parents found it in the CrashDown wreckage, they managed to hold onto it all these years.”
Liz’s eyes filled with tears as she opened it, looking down at the first entry.
“I thought maybe, you could start to write again. Now that life is sort of… settling down.”
“You don’t know how much this means to me.” She whispered, as her eyes filled with tears.
“I think I do.” He said with a smile as he leaned in and kissed her. “Happy Birthday Liz.”
“Thank you.” They were back on the road a few minutes later, as Liz looked down at her journal. She flipped the pages, reveling in the memories. She felt young again. Something she hadn’t felt in so long.
“Are we telling your mom today?”
“Only if you want to.”
“What do you think she’s going to say?”
“She’s going to be ecstatic that she’s a grandma.” He said with a smile. She smiled, knowing that he was right. She rubbed her stomach softly. She would never have wanted to have children, with the threat of Pierce lingering. But she knew, she knew Max had freed her of that fear. And now, she was excited, ready to face the new world.
“I love you Max.”
“I love you too.” He said, as they drove into the Evans’ driveway. “You ready?”
She looked at him with a smirk and nodded. They walked up the stairs and knocked. The door swung open and the room inside was dark.
“SURPRISE!” Everyone yelled suddenly, as bodies appeared from behind all objects. Liz laughed, startled by the whole event.
“Happy Birthday Liz.” Maria said, as she smiled and reached to hug her. She looked around, as she saw her parents and the Evans in the kitchen, going back and forth, setting the table.
For the first time in a long time, she felt normal again. And she knew, things would finally be ok.
THE END
